So I was out, finished! Completely done I say. From 96 to 18, I was done with this business of catching Bass. The Army, women, drinking and oh no it's 22 years later and I really don't have anything to show for the pathetic life I had been leading. Depression and isolation set in I, was done.

 

A soon to be buddy(we'll call him Travis, since that's dudes name) kept pestering me to get out and do something, but I rejected dudes offers of friendship. Until one day dude said he had been fishing our local lake (Henshaw, CA) I went along and didn't catch a d**n thing, I knew it would suck and it DID! But back at the house a strange thing began to happen, an old familiar feeling came over me, a yearning, a itch. I found myself perusing the rods, reels and tackle on Amazon. I made a decision to go to my storage in the morning and break out my UL  spincaster, I did this, gathered up some tackle and went back to Henshaw and put one on the beach in about 5 min. A nice little 2Lbs welcome back fish.

 

That evening I went back to Amazon and started to gear up, bought a 7' h/f Lightning rod and a KK Rover 50, a 6' M/F and a KK RL, a couple of boxes of cranks and spinnerbaits and have been ripping the lips off these bass ever since. Upgrades planned when funds become available.

 

Since that first trip back I have lost my business, the best friend I could ever hope to have, my pitbull of 12 years(stomach tumor). Oh and the woman I was dating started to see aliens (literally) She also taught me how to love another human being again. I am currently tucking my tail and probably moving from where I am to Yuma AZ. Not exactly a move up, but I am optimistic. Optimistic in large part Because I know that those AZ Bass are there waiting, growing bigger, stronger, hungrier, I shall slay these Bass and I will ride that feeling(y'all know what I'm referring too) to a better life all around.

 

I don't know why I quit fishing when I did, but I'm grateful that the Bass have waited for me, I really need it.

 

As I fish now I look to the ground around me and think what a shame my Dog isn't there with me, twelve years and not once did I fish with that Dog. 

 

In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I suffer from some pretty extreme depression, anxiety is my real problem. But something happens when I feel that first indication of a fish(a lightening of mood, a quickening of heart) and the hook set(elation) the battle to the beach(a satisfying concentration) and then lipping that beautiful fish, I feel as GOD intended. And it lasts, for a while anyway.

 

Not once have the V.A and their quack Doctors helped me feel as good as Bass fishing has, imagine that, fishing the ultimate anti-depressant.

 

I can't have my 22 years or my Dog back, but I am going to make a hell of a run on the next 22. I intend to catch at least one Bass for each week of those twenty two, so 1,144(might have to be a avg)

 

 

And Yep as soon as I'm settled there will be a Dog at my side helping me land those Bass.

 

P.S. I'm told that I am actually kinda fun to be around.

 

Good to hear that bass fishing is helping you.

Welcome to bassresource and back to bass fishing!!

 

 

Welcome to the forum and I hope the future works out for you as you have planned it.

 

   You're not the only one who finds fishing therapeutic.  Welcome!      jj

Welcome!

Hello @Hewhospeaksmuchbull ~ Thank You for your Service. 

You are in charge of your own morale.

Get another dog - there are literally thousands of them is shelters all across this great country.

Sitting in a cages pretty freaking lonely too - help one out while you help yourself.  

Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

A-Jay

Hello and welcome to the forum. Hope everything keeps getting better for you.

Suck up the emotions and get on with your life. 

Thank you for your service and welcome to Bass Resource!

Welcome and thank you for your service! 

 

Fishing helps me deal with emotions and all that comes with my job and kept me on the right path when I was a teen that my friends failed to follow and suffered the consequences. It's kind of like my brain is a chalkboard, and my job is unattended child drawing all over it, but fishing is the eraser there to clear away all the clutter and mess. 

 

Enjoy the journey back and relearning everything there is to know and helping yourself along the well. 

Hey, I also struggle with mental illness.

 

Fishing is by far the best therapy for dealing with mental health. It relaxes me more than anything.

First and foremost. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!! Secondly, my best friend and fishing partner suffers from severe anxiety and sometimes we can't even go to Taco Bell because he gets freaked out. However, he is all about going fishing and it is literally is ONLY outlet. Lastly, I have been a fireman for 10 years and I have seen things that I hope no one else ever has to see. I just realize that I am the one in control of my life and I make the best of it. I think fishing is a therapy for some and it seems as though it works for you. Good luck on the water brother!

Thank you for you service!  Also fishing can do amazing things for people, glad you found your way back to the greatest relaxation I know of!

The peacefulness and tranquity of nature is therapeutic. Just stopping to look at the world around you can be surreal. 

 

Hope you are doing well and glad to see that you are getting back into fishing. It's a great sport and a fantastic way to spend some quality time with someone special or just by yourself. 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

 

 

 

 

Welcome back to the sport, and welcome aboard!

Welcome home! We're glad you're here!

On 6/20/2019 at 12:03 PM, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

A soon to be buddy(we'll call him Travis, since that's dudes name) kept pestering me to get out and do something, but I rejected dudes offers of friendship. Until one day dude said he had been fishing our local lake (Henshaw, CA) I went along

Welcome to BR from Central Bassachusetts...welcome back to our fabulous sport and thank Travis for being such a persistent guy. Glad he won you over. 

 

LM